Just two days before the Norwegian Nobel Committee is set to announce the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday from the Oval Office that he deserves the prestigious award. He claimed his accomplishments include resolving eight military conflicts and averting a potential global nuclear catastrophe.
These statements, reported by Reuters and other international outlets, come ahead of Friday's announcement in Oslo, where the Nobel Committee's president will reveal this year's recipient, selected from 343 nominees.
Trump's Bold Assertions
“I’m not boasting; I’m laying out the facts,” Trump declared firmly to journalists, detailing his credentials for the accolade.
“I’m not boasting. I'm just stating the facts. Probably no president has resolved wars like I have. I ended eight wars, and they were significant,” he stated confidently.
He tied his achievements to his policy towards Iran, a nation with which the United States had been at war since late February 2026. Subsequently, a peace agreement was reached, ensuring Tehran’s commitment to refrain from developing nuclear weapons.
“I resolved eight conflicts and potentially prevented the total destruction of the world, as Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. That’s a good thing, a very good thing,” he remarked.
Hostage Releases and International Recognition
Trump also highlighted the release of hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas: “I resolved eight wars. Another is on the horizon. I recovered all the hostages.”
He revisited the incident where Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado—recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize—handed him her medal during a visit to the White House in January 2026.
“Last time, it went to a young woman, a fabulous person. She said she didn’t deserve it, but I did and gave it to me. I said, 'Wow, what an honor,'” he recounted.
According to Trump, Machado told him that no one in the history of the Nobel Prize deserved it more.
The Nobel Institute clarified that the award cannot be transferred: the medal can change hands, but the laureate status remains with Machado.
Criticism of the Committee and a Warning to Oslo
Despite his confident rhetoric, Trump openly acknowledged his skepticism about the committee’s choice.
“I don’t know what their decision will be. They have a reputation for perhaps not awarding it to people like me,” he admitted.
Nonetheless, he raised the stakes by suggesting that a decision against him would harm the organization itself: “Whether I receive it or not, I’ve done much more, and I believe it would be a tremendous discredit to them.”
This stance contrasts with his position in March 2026, when—after the onset of the war with Iran—Trump claimed he no longer cared about the Nobel and denied that it was part of his diplomatic discussions.
Contenders and Friday's Announcement
Trump is considered a speculative candidate, but prediction markets do not rank him among the frontrunners.
Leading the forecasts are Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERR), with an implied probability of between 15% and 17%, followed by Save Ukraine and Save the Children.
The president also has yet to secure a peace agreement in Ukraine, one of the conflicts he claims to have managed, and several of the eight conflicts he mentions remain tense.
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced this Friday in Oslo; the award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Nobel Prize Claims
Why does Donald Trump believe he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize?
Donald Trump claims he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize due to his role in resolving eight military conflicts and preventing a potential global nuclear crisis, particularly highlighting his peace deal with Iran.
Has Donald Trump received support from previous Nobel laureates?
Yes, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, symbolically gave Trump her medal, expressing that he deserved it more than she did.
What are the chances of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize?
While Trump is among the speculative candidates, prediction markets do not rank him among the favorites for the Nobel Peace Prize.